College football is three weeks into the 2022 regular season, so division races are heating up in leagues across the country, conference championship pictures are getting clearer, and the teams that legitimately qualify for the College Football Playoff are dwindling each Saturday. Several Top-25 showdowns will be set up in Week 11 to clarify these scenarios.
The most notable conflicts come from the SEC, where the no. 7 LSU hopes to avoid taking a step back from its thrilling overtime win over Alabama when it travels to Arkansas. Although the Tigers have suddenly become the talk of the nation in Year 1 under coach Brian Kelly, their hold on the SEC West remains tenuous. LSU needs to win to earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game (against No. 1 Georgia), and that starts with avoiding a road upset against an Arkansas team that can play anyone.
No. 9 Speaking of the Crimson Tide, barring an absolute miracle, their SEC and CFP hopes are in tatters. Not so for No. 11 Ole Miss, which hosts Alabama in the CBS Game of the Week with Rebels coach Lane Kiffin looking to get its first win against Nick Saban. Unlike the Tide, the Rebels still have a chance to win the SEC West. Ole Miss needs to beat Alabama to stay in position, though LSU will need to take on LSU when the regular season ends.
Saturday’s nightcap is a big Big 12 showdown, as newly minted no. 4 TCU in its toughest remaining test of the final three weeks at No. 18 visits Texas. The Longhorns have been playing much better in the second half of the season, and with former Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson serving as an analyst, they will certainly handle what TCU brings to the table. If the Frogs get past the ‘Horns, only Baylor and Iowa State will be in TCU’s eyes for a spot in the playoffs.
Be sure to stay tuned to CBS Sports throughout the day for college football coverage from the opening kickoff. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for the best games in Week 11.
Odds by Caesars Sportsbook | East at all times
No. 9 Alabama at No. 11 Ole Miss
3:30 pm | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App — Take Ole Miss and the points, but you won’t need them because the Rebels are going to win this one outright. The multi-dimensional Rebels rushing attack will win early, draw Alabama defenders into the box, and Jackson Dart will hit shots over the top. At the same time, the Ole Miss defense will get enough success that it will put Alabama behind the sticks. That’s bad news for an Alabama team that hasn’t been smooth on the road. Prediction: Ole Miss +12 — Barrett Sally
No. 1 Georgia in the state of Mississippi
Special game | Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Georgia Bulldogs
7 pm | ESPN, fuboTV (try it for free) — Mississippi State has failed to cover the spread in three straight games, while Georgia appears to have reached its peak in the most important part of the season. Georgia’s defense performed at an even higher level of Alabama, and the Crimson Tide was able to put a way to shut down the Mississippi State offense this year on tape. I think the Athens-based Bulldogs can do the same. Prediction: Georgia -16 — Chip Patterson
Texas No. No. 18 in 4 TCU
Special game | Texas Longhorns vs. TCU Horned Frogs
7:30 pm | ABC, fuboTV (try it for free) — The Longhorns rate well in most analytical systems, thanks to a close game against Alabama and an upset over a quarterback-less Oklahoma team. However, the Longhorns also have losses Texas Tech And with a close game against Oklahoma State Iowa State. One of these teams knows how to finish games, and that’s the boys in purple. Prediction: TCU +7 — Jayaraja
Missouri No. 5 Tennessee
Special game | Tennessee Volunteers vs. Missouri Tigers
Noon | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App — Except for the embarrassing 40-12 loss Kansas State In Week 2, Missouri played well defensively. Even in that game, the Tigers allowed just 336 total yards as they were hampered by a 4-to-1 deficit in turnovers. Missouri’s last seven games have ended within the confines of this spread, and the Tigers should keep things respectable again here. Missouri ranks 100th nationally in revenue margin, but that should flip at some point. If the Tigers keep their turnover woes in check, they will keep the game close. Prediction: Missouri +21 — David Cobb
No. in Arkansas. 7 LSU
Special game | Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers
Noon | ESPN, fuboTV (try it for free) — A block in the lane against a skilled opponent is a natural trap game opportunity, but K.J. Jefferson’s position makes the sad prospect even more tenuous. LSU has played inspired football since its early losses Tennessee And State of FloridaAnd there’s little reason to expect a Brian Kelly-coached team not to play good, fundamental football in a crucial game with CFP hopes. Prediction: LSU -3 — Shehan Jayaraja
Which college football picks can you confidently make in Week 11, and which top-25 teams will land hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — from a proven computer model that has made nearly $3,000 in profits over the past six-plus seasons — and find out.
